Æ18 - Septimius Severus ΕΦΕϹΙΩΝ

Ephesus held the title of "first and greatest metropolis of Asia" during the Severan period, a designation fiercely contested by Smyrna and Pergamon, and one which the city's magistrates leveraged aggressively in their civic coinage. The ΕΦΕϹΙΩΝ ethnic inscription was itself a political statement — the abbreviated form used here reflects standard civic pride rather than any special imperial grant, though Ephesus held neokoros status multiple times under Severus.

The conventus system meant Roman judicial authority was physically centered in Ephesus, drawing litigants and commerce from across the province each assize season — likely the primary circulation context for small bronzes of this module.